Spring Football Sights and Sounds: The Spring Game Prelude
A new energy beckons in Strawberry Canyon
Throughout spring football for Cal, there have been consistent elements on offer as the Golden Bears usher in a new era of football. Tosh Lupoi and his coaches have continued to emphasized the three unflappable pillars that the Bears stand for, those being relentless effort, ball excellence (said another way, a desire for +2 turnover margin) and power of unit.
Players have also mentioned said themes in their media scrums post practice, to the point that we’re all going to be in the weeds of the pillars ourselves by the time kickoff rolls around. But with a group that features over 50 new players, what’s come together so far?
A renewed energy in the canyon
In the session I was in attendance for plus from what I’ve heard from others inside the building, there was an idea that it would be a different type of controlled chaos inside California Memorial Stadium.
Friday morning told me exactly that as Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten” blared through the loudspeakers. The sheer volume of coaches became apparent while they all worked with their position groups as 2026’s story gets underway. Amidst the bedlam, there was an observant yet hands on presence that loomed.
Head Coach Tosh Lupoi.
As Lorenzo Alexander stated, his college teammate has the “ability to command the room,” which was more than on display as the new Bears on the block rumbled through drills.
Watching an investment
Numerous position groups had money poured into it over the offseason. Wide receiver, tight end and offensive line just to name a few. You can’t make any wholesale conclusions now and I certainly won’t after my own small sample size, but there are definitely some guys who leave you with intrigue.
WR’s Ian Strong and Chase Hendricks are nasty. These are the types of weapons Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele needed.
The TE room went from one of the biggest unknowns leading into 2025 to a group that can be a major contributor. Even with Mason Mini sidelined, Dorian Thomas was stellar at New Mexico and has been repping well. Taimane Purcell, the true freshman from Hawaii also is showcasing.
The spring game approaches
There’s still a lot more to unpack for Cal over the next week. Installs are continuing to progress and the coaches will want to see more execution as the practices go by. This practice for me was more about getting a grasp of what Cal’s operation is than any statistical elements.
Offensive Coordinator Jordan Sommerville praised the ability of the players to impart the information that they’ve been taught and applying it, a welcome sight for any coach.
The defense has elevated through different parts of spring ball, as do many when everyone is starting from ground zero. There’s definitely an element of relentless pursuit that becomes apparent at times.
This final week will tell us more about how the trenches operate and how to finish contextualizing Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele and the offense in this early face off against the defense.
Cal’s spring game takes place at 1 p.m. this Saturday at California Memorial Stadium.
Fans are encourage to RSVP via the link within Cal’s release.
2026 Cal football - New coaching, new players, new money, new success expectations
I'll always maintain that "In the Weeds of the Pillars" was Led Zeppelin's most underrated album.